Charges include aggravated incest, animal abuse

Sufficient information was brought before the Morehouse Parish Grand Jury to indite a local man on numerous sex charges.James K. Harrell was originally charged in November 2011 on the charges of molestation of a juvenile, indecent behavior with a juvenile and aggravated incest after a report was filed with the Bastrop Police Department.

BPD Detective Richard Pace worked the case and after interviewing numerous witnesses and victims, learned of Harrell's illegal activity. Over a time span of three months, Pace uncovered numerous alleged acts relating to sexual encounters with juveniles. The information was taken to the grand jury, who found a true bill against Harrell and warrants were issued for his arrest.

Harrell, who fled the state, was located living in a camper in Virginia. He was extradited back to Morehouse Parish, where he was placed in the Morehouse Parish jail.

Harrell's case was again heard before the Grand Jury and indictments were handed down for additional charges of three counts of aggravated incest, six counts of indecent behavior with a juvenile and aggravated cruelty to animals. He remains in the MPSO jail.

Aggravated incest is defined as the engaging in sexual intercourse, sexual battery, second degree sexual battery, carnal knowledge of a juvenile, indecent behavior with juveniles, pornography involving juveniles, molestation of a juvenile, crime against nature, cruelty to juveniles, parent enticing a child into prostitution, or any other involvement of a child in sexual activity constituting a crime under the laws of this state with a person who is under 18 years of age and who is known to the offender to be related to the offender as any of the following biological, step, or adoptive relatives: child, grandchild of any degree, brother, sister, half-brother, half-sister, uncle, aunt, nephew or niece. It also includes any lewd fondling or touching of the person of either the child or the offender, done or submitted to with the intent to arouse or to satisfy the sexual desires of either the child, the offender or both. If convicted, Harrell could face up to 20 years in prison on each count of aggravated incest; up to 25 years on each count of indecent behavior with a juvenile and up to 10 years on the aggravated cruelty to an animal charge.